CSP Alum, Rafid Shidqi, class of 2021 and founder of Thresher Shark Indonesia, published a new paper that draws from the culmination of more than 5 years of work of Thresher Shark Indonesia in Alor. Mainly, this paper provides evidence of how our multi-faceted intervention in conservation, including shark movement studies, incentive-based alternative livelihoods, policy advocacy, and education, can achieve the ‘goals’ of thresher shark conservation.
The paper, Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia, is accessible via Cambridge University Press.
From the abstract:
This study presents results and lessons learnt from a multi-faceted effort to reduce communities’ dependence on this Endangered shark species through a livelihood-based intervention complemented by collaborative species management and community outreach. Using a theory-based and statistical research design, we describe the approach taken in our intervention and its conservation outcomes. Total thresher shark catches were 91% lower among fishers who participated in our intervention compared to non-participants. Participating fishers also experienced increases in their income, in some cases by up to 525% relative to the income before the intervention. Occasional violations and challenges in the form of socio-political conflicts also occurred, yet these incidents acted as catalysts for regulatory change and reinforced stakeholder collaboration. This suggests overall positive outcomes and the potential for continued social change in shark conservation in the region over the long term. Our findings outline some generalizable lessons learnt for designing and implementing bottom-up livelihood-based interventions in other contexts.
Congratulations Rafid!